Hazare urges people's participation in fight against corruption

Nashik, May 17 (UNI) Veteran social activist Anna Hazare today said people's participation is necessary in the fight against corruption.

''Decentralization of power and people's participation is necessary in the fight against corruption. The agitation against corruption should be qualitative instead of quantitative,'' Mr Hazare said while addressing a public rally here today.

Mr Hazare said even after 59 years of independence, we have not understood the real meaning of democracy. ''Are we experiencing real freedom? Has there been a decrease in corruption?'' Mr Hazare asked while stating that the only change after the departure of British is that the 'Whites' have been replaced by the Browns', Mr Hazare said.

Power is centralised in the hands of a few people, therefore decentralisation of power is necessary, he stressed. The second war for freedom is against our own people, Mr Hazare said while stressing on people's participation in this regard.

People from all strata of society should come forward to participate in this fight, he said. ''They should be ready to make sacrifices,'' he added.

People with good character are needed in this fight as character gives strength to this fight, Mr Hazare said. Instead of ''quantity''' we need ''quality'' he said.

All this is necessary for restructuring of the organisation which involves restructuring district committees, taluka committees, and village-level committes.

He also stressed the need for creating awareness among people.

Though there are laws for people's welfare like the Right to Information Act, people are unaware of the power of these acts. The activists should reach to the people and make them aware of these laws, he said.

He also expressed concern over the criminalisation of politics saying this was a ''threat to democracy'' and appealed people to join the ''movement'' against such malaise.

''Gavkari'' group editor Arvind Potnis presided over the programme.

Activists of ''Jan andolan'' P B Karanjkar, Hemant Takawde, Prof A T Bhosale, and senior freedom fighter Vasantrao Hublikar were present on this occation.

UNI